User : I have an abcess in the upper right area of my mouth. I have had this abcess for several years. I have seen four different dentists who have treated me with antibiotics (one performed a root canal afterward) and was told that I would be fine afterward. Well, this has continued to plague me. It will go away for a while but then returns with a venegance. It's back again and I am in agony right now. I don't know what to do next. Is it possible for this infection to have spread to other areas of my body? Since this all started I've had other strange illnesses that don't seem to go away.
Doctor : hello
Doctor : i am Dr
User : Pleased to meet you via cyber space.
Doctor : may i know your age and gender please ?
User : I am a 52 year old female with diabetes.
Doctor : so when you were on the antibiotics the abscess was gone ?
Doctor : can you tell me if any tests were done ?
User : It never completely went away. I had no lab work done by any of the dental professionals I saw.
Doctor : is your diabetes under control ?
User : At the time I had excellent control. More recently I've had some troubles. I have inexplicably lost nearly 80 lbs. in the past four months. The weight loss has been making it more difficult to maintain the desired blood glucose level.
Doctor : i see
Doctor : ok now for you query well to begin with dont worry an abscess infection wont spread to any part of your body
Doctor : and also since it was responding to antibiotics clearly shows it of a infection agent
User : That's a relief.
Doctor : now what the protocol suggest is that you should have to get a culture done
Doctor : the abscess is drained and sent to the lab and then we see what is the EXACT ORGANISM causing it
Doctor : and then the SPECIFIC antibiotics are administered
Doctor : i suggest you can go see a ENT physician
User : Ear, Nose, and Throat?
Doctor : yes thats correct
User : Sounds like a plan. I will ask my Primary Care MD for a referral. In the meantime, anything you could suggest to manage the pain at home?
Doctor : an oral abscess is completely curable if the RIGHT ANTIBIOTICS are given
Doctor : at home you can take ibuprofen to ease the pain
Doctor : dont try to touch it with your finger as it can be more infected
Doctor : also you should know that if you have DIABETES the healing process will take a little MORE time
User : That's good to know because I have already been through so many courses of every different type of antibiotic imaginable. The last one was one round of vancomycin at traditional dosage, a second round of vancomycin at double strength and still no better.
Doctor : but dont worry a early intervention with the right antibiotics and you will be all good
Doctor : yes thats why its CRUCIAL to take a culture so that we know what EXACTLY is causing it
User : Would a salt water rinse be helpful or perhaps a warm compress applied to the cheek?
Doctor : both are excellent ways to ease the pain and swelling
Doctor : the real cure however lies in the medications
User : Ok. Thank you so much for your help Doctor. Enjoy the remainder of your day.
Doctor : you too take care
Doctor : and you are most welcome
Doctor : good bye